Daily Bullets (December 28)

That Gameday feeling.

Probably the best 25 seconds of bowl season right here pic.twitter.com/kcS0Ur9WAF

— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) December 27, 2017

Black/Maroon and Orange

In an alternate universe, Mason Rudolph wouldn’t hold all the records he currently does.

It’s odd to think of the Oklahoma State senior quarterback in anything but black and orange as he concludes a record-setting career, but when he was a high schooler coming out of Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 2014, Virginia Tech was definitely in the mix.

“It was pretty serious,” Rudolph said Tuesday. “I was probably down to them and two other schools, Oklahoma State being one of them. It was like a four-hour drive from Rock Hill. I liked [then-Tech assistant] Scot Loeffler at the time, and obviously Coach [Frank] Beamer. I felt comfortable with the staff. I enjoyed my visits and enjoyed my time there.

“Just felt more of a connection in Stillwater.” [Roanoke Times]

There you have it, the record-setter that might not have been. Could you imagine the past four years of Cowboy Football without No. 10/2?

Happily Taken

In the most recent flirtation/pay raise for Mike Gundy, Mike Holder’s comments on the situation imply where the power clearly lies in Oklahoma State athletics.

“We’ve had a broad-based and very successful athletic department for many years, and we are very proud of that, but it’s never been more important than it is today to be successful in football.”

OSU set a program record for season-ticket sales this year. If the Cowboys can conquer Virginia Tech, OSU will have achieved an unprecedented milestone — a third consecutive 10-win finish. It would be Gundy’s sixth finish of at least 10 wins in the past eight seasons.

“I’ve never been as optimistic about OSU football as I am at this moment,” Holder said. [TulsaWorld]

The article mentions that Gundy didn’t have to ask for the 16 percent pay raise – that it was an understood. Nobody takes shots at the goose that lays the ten-win golden eggs!

OSU and NCAA Notes

The answer to what 26 years of a college football playoff would have looked like….K-State pulled out a Cactus Bowl win, Utah took out West Virginia in Heart of Dallas….Jenni Carlson profile’s Ramon Richards: his career and his south Texas upbringing….Tramel talks about the last time OSU and Virginia Tech played

The Baylor 2013 turf monster is back.

Apparently this game is being played on a sheet of black ice pic.twitter.com/X6YM1FR9hE

— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) December 27, 2017

One more uni!

The start of Big 12 play calls for a fresh look. One more uniform to unveil and you can see it first on Friday. #letswork

4 ? for $20 with promo code "stocking" ➡️ https://t.co/DquLrGabda pic.twitter.com/IncfER1fJd

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 27, 2017

Sounds like it’d be tough to find a better matchup between defensive backs and wide receivers. 7 on 7 against ‘Bama would be fascinating, no?

One of the more talented units, the Virginia Tech defense will have their hands full with the Oklahoma State offense in the Camping World Bowl tomorrow.

Can Greg Stroman and the Hokie secondary shut down the Cowboys passing attack?https://t.co/zZdGGZJzBc pic.twitter.com/f7KnvD2hPF

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) December 28, 2017

A unique side effect of the early signing period:

Odd twist w/ the new early signing period. There are recruits who've actually signed papers but didn't want schools to announce them til Feb. One coach said the tricky part is you could end up committing a violation recruiting a kid you don't know that's signed someplace else.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 27, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Virginia Tech has the recruiting edge on OSU
• Three hopeful developments for OSU in the Camping World Bowl
• Everything you need to know to watch the bowl game
• Thomas lets us know the most important statistic for the game today
• Gundy, Fuente talk about the significance of ten wins, winning the bowl game

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• This on the Christian and the concept of free time was convicting
• Mike Leach talks his favorite sports movie, thin crust pizza and about his strange childhood pet
• How Facebook is responding to criticism from former employees: validating their business